The seven rays are seven different creative forces of the universe. In the writings of Mme. Blavatsky, the “seven rays” were related to the celestial beings referred as the Primordial Seven, Dhyāni-Buddhas, Ah-hi or Logoi. These Seven Rays are the origin of the seven Principles in Nature and must not be confused with mere mechanical colors or energies. They are more like conscious primordial emanations of the Logoic consciousness.

Each ray of the seven, carries a particular frequency of their own, a peculiar energy that has it’s own quality. Before we go more into the definitions of each ray type, it must be understood that all these rays come from one life that is the Logos (God) and they never exist totally independent from each other. Each rays contains the quality of all other six rays in minute quantities and ultimately they are one and have the same origin. As already said before, a Ray is a particular frequency of energy or life force. Just like the indigo color in the rainbow is different from the other colors but at the same time originates from the pure white light, the seven rays resemble the same mechanism. Just like indigo has a different frequency from violet, just like the indigo has a different effect in one’s temperament, the seven rays operate in a similar manner, with the exception being the seven rays are conscious creative energies of the universe. Without the influence of the seven rays, life would be impossible on earth, so their significance is grandiose in the esoteric sense.

Master Choa Kok Sui has said, 

“Understanding the Seven Rays gives you the ability to see people as they are… By seeing people from different aspects, from different facets, your understanding deepens.”

– Master Choa Kok Sui 

Our consciousness is governed by these seven rays. Depending on our temperament, we are influenced by one ray or the other. Before we move on to how these rays affect our consciousness, let’s define the rays. 

1st ray – The energy of Will, Purpose or Power (Divine Will)

2nd ray – The energy of Love-Wisdom (Divine Love)

3rd ray – The energy of Active Intelligence (Divine Intelligence)

4th ray – The energy of Harmony through Conflict

5th ray – The energy of Concrete Knowledge or Science

6th ray – The energy of Devotion or Idealism

7th ray – The energy of Ceremonial Order 

While all these rays exist concurrently, not all of them influence us at the same time. Depending on astrological cycles, influence of the zodiacs, these rays influence our planet by cycles. Previously and to a certain extent, even presently, our earth was influenced by the Sixth Ray of devotion. Now this ray is rapidly in decline and the 7th ray is making it’s influence felt. More details on the 7th Ray and it’s influence can be found in the book Esoteric Psychology Vol I by Alice Bailey. 

We human beings depending on our temperament are also governed by a particular ray. However it must be noted, our different bodies can have different ray types. For example, our personality can be of 6th ray type (Devotion & idealism) and at the same time the ray type of our mental body may be 4th ray (harmony through conflict) and our soul can be of 2nd ray nature (Love & Wisdom). So what we are is dependent on the ray combination of our various bodies. Our nature is determined by this unique ray combination although the ray type of the personality is what is considered to be the dominant ray of the person. The personality being the sum total of the physical, astral & lower mental bodies. 

For example a man belonging to the 6th ray will have mystical tendencies and inclination while a person belonging to the third ray will be predominantly intellectual. Depending on rays, we can categorize people and understand their nature. But, for most accurate interpretation the rays of various bodies, soul and personality must be taken into consideration.

“It might therefore be noted that the following rays and influences must be considered in the case of every individual man, for they make him what he is and determine his problem:

1. The ray of the solar system itself.
2. The ray of the planetary Logos of our planet.
3. The ray of the human kingdom itself.
4. Our particular racial ray, the ray that determines the Aryan race.
5. The rays that govern any particular cycle.
6. The national ray, or that ray influence which is peculiarly influencing a particular nation.
7. The ray of the soul, or ego.
8. The ray of the personality.
9. The rays governing:

1. The mental body.
2. The emotional or astral body.
3. The physical body.

There are other rays, but the above are the most powerful and have the greater conditioning power. ” – Alice Bailey, Esoteric Psychology Vol I

Apart from the influence of the seven rays on human consciousness, the rays also operate in various kingdoms and forces of nature. Some examples are: 

1. The Ray of the Solar System.
2. The Planetary Ray-Earth.
3. The Ray of the Fourth Kingdom.
4. The Racial Rays.
5. The Rays in Cyclic Manifestation.
6. The Nations and the Rays.
7. The Ray of the Ego 

The understanding of the Seven Rays is the technology of understanding creation and all the aspects of creation. It enables us to understand nature and it’s forces, the changes that take place in nature and in the human consciousness. I also assists us comprehend the cyclic nature of evolution, astrological cycles and much more. However, every student must be warned not to misuse the seven rays for foolish talk. For example comparing one’s rays with other people for the purpose of feeling superior, considering one ray to be more powerful and advanced than other rays etc. Understanding rays in such a distorted way will only result in glamour. The student has been warned.

“There has been for long in esoteric circles much idle and oft foolish talk anent the ray upon which a man may be found. People are as ignorantly excited over being told which is their ray as they are over the portrayal of their past incarnations. The “new teaching on the rays” vies with astrology in its interest. Like the Athenians, men are always searching for the novel and the unusual, forgetting that every new truth and every new presentation of an old truth carries with it the onus of increased responsibility.

However, it is interesting to trace parallels, and it is becoming obvious to the careful student that the emergence of the teaching on the rays has happened at a time when the scientist is announcing the fact that there is naught to be seen and known save energy, and that all forms are composed of energy units and are in themselves expressions of force.

A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and not upon the force aspect which it creates. This is a true definition of a ray.” 

– Alice Bailey